I know the computer age arrived some time ago, but I've actively ignored it until recently. Ironically, what made me finally acknowledge its value was a recent trip to England's museums. Today's exhibits combine historical information with high-tech computer imagery. Gadgets resembling the handset of a telephone now guide visitors through exhibits, allowing them to view a particular period or display at the touch of a key. Somehow this 20th-century invention seemed quite at odds with the ancient Roman baths. Nevertheless, this sort of technology is here to stay and there are some exciting research tools on the market.

While visiting southern Britain, I spent two days with Dr. Nick Tyson at his Regency town house in Hove, just a stone's throw from Brighton. He is restoring his home to its Regency splendor, paying particular attention to correct period details and colors. When finished, the house will serve as headquarters for a Regency Museum. Not where one would expect to find the computer age. Yet the basement, which will house a reference library, will contain a decidedly modern research tool: a CD-ROM featuring local history. Included with the shipping records, property deeds, topographical views and sketches of period interiors, the CD-ROM will feature an interactive panoramic view of the seaside and promenade. Each person depicted in the view (based on a thirteen-foot long image) will have his or her own story to tell and, when selected, will provide information on topics such as crime, architecture and travel. Dr. Tyson hopes to have the CD available soon internationally.

Since then, I have learned of other research tools geared towards the computer literate.

British royalty is the theme for ROYALIST, a computerized reference to the kings and queens of England, Scotland and most of Europe, dating from the Holy Roman Empire. A family group of up to 16 persons can be displayed on a single screen and a relationship calculator can determine how any two people in the database are related. Other statistics are provided for dates of birth, height, weight, marriages, children and date of death. In addition, the user can determine the criteria for comparing historic figures; who shares a first name, a birthday or who had red hair. The CD program sells for $35. If interested, write to Bede Technology, 130 87th Ave., Treasure Island, FL 33706.

Perhaps most exciting for romance authors will be an interactive program geared towards fashion details. THE CLOTHES WE WORE: A HISTORY OF EUROPEAN COSTUME is a detailed survey of the history of high style clothing from 1700 to 1920 as represented in contemporary visual arts. It will showcase the secrets, splendors and effects of fashion and style on society by including areas on life at court, habits and the conventions of the middle classes. The CD program is available from E.M.M.E for $59.95. It can be ordered from your store using product code 1-57535-021-1.

The internet and web sites also offer publicity opportunities proven to increase sales, after the book has been written. Callie Goble offers a site that cross references romance authors and their books, the author providing text in ASCH. Information that will be provided to users includes backlist titles, a brief plot blurb written by the author, excerpts, and release dates. In addition to an author's own page, he or she will be mentioned on other pages including a genre page, coming books page, and others related to the author's work. Also included are research sites, book seller and copyright information, news about conferences, contests and book signings, all of which is included in the annual price of $20. For more information on this site, contact Callie Goble, Suite 103-135, 5821 N. 67th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301.